or working in the back to help prep contestants. All volunteers must stay past the end of the pageant to help clean up and all must attend the dress rehearsal on Friday from 5-7 p.m.

► ReStore volunteers — 9 a.m -1 p.m., Habitat for Humanity

Ongoing volunteer opportunities

► Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama

Who they are: A nonprofit group that works to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

What they need: Wish-granting volunteers to interact directly with the wish children and families throughout the entire process. Training is provided. Fundraising, event and office volunteer opportunities also are available. Project locations include all counties in Northeast Georgia.

► Oconee County Parks & Recreation

Who they are: An agency that provides safe and accessible recreational facilities and a diversified program of recreational activities for all citizens.

What they need: Volunteers needed to serve as coaches for the upcoming youth sports programs. Coaches are needed for football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball and wrestling.

► Odyssey Healthcare

Who they are: Odyssey Healthcare is a hospice company serving 18 counties in Northeast Georgia. Their mission is to improve the quality of life.

What they need: Looking for volunteers to provide companionship and support to hospice patients and their families. Hospice volunteers play a vital role in providing special support to patients.

► POUR, Inc.

Who they are: A volunteer organization with the mission to fight poverty and its ensuing social issues through community partnerships.

What they need: Core service project volunteers to assist in all aspects of planning and implementation. Also, volunteers needed with skills and resources to sow an urban garden.

► Prevent Child Abuse Athens

Who they are: To prevent child abuse and neglect in all its forms: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect, through education, support and public awareness. The First Steps Program is a volunteer-driven program aimed at supporting parents of newborns. What they need: First steps program service provider volunteers to visit with parents of newborns at Athens Regional Medical Center to provide support, educational information and connections to community resources.

► Project SAFE

Who they are: A nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention and ongoing supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

What they need: Volunteers are needed to help sort donations, work cash register, assist customers and Project Safe clients obtaining clothing and household items. Cashiers will undergo a background check.

► Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

Who they are: The nation’s educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia and other physical disability.

What they need: Various opportunities as a volunteer reader or director. Orientations are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, plus evening sessions Monday through Wednesday.

► Sandy Creek Nature Center

Who they are: Featuring 225 acres of woodlands and wetlands, Sandy Creek Nature Center opens the door to outdoor exploration. More than four miles of trails and an ADA Interpretive Trail are available with connections to the North Oconee River Greenway and the Cook’s Trail.

What they need: Exhibit hall volunteers and individuals or groups to adopt a section of trail as part of our Trail Keepers Program. Any day, any time.

► Southern Care

Who they are: A nonprofit organization that strives to provide the quality of life to those facing a life-threatening illness.

What they need: Administrative/office support to answer phones, file paperwork, put together packets and help with arranging flowers. Hospice support and companionship to visit an elderly woman who has a busy family that struggles to visit. Bingo caller and craft volunteers. Birthday Club volunteers to provide patients with cakes, cards and crafts. People with experience in baking, making cards or those who have special talents are especially invited to volunteer.

► St. Mary’s Hospice

Who they are: Organization that provides compassion and personalized care to seriously ill patients.

What they need: Volunteers to work in the retail thrift store.

Activities this week

TODAY

Panel and Reception: “Love Makes a Family” — 6:30 p.m., Tate Student Center, Baxter and Lumpkin streets; families from the LGBT community share stories and experiences of having a family and being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; light refreshments; in conjunction with photo exhibition; (706) 542-4077 or lcloud@uga.edu.

Athens-Clarke County Library Book Sale — 2-6 p.m. today for members only and 6-8 tonight for the general public, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Perimeter Square, Huntington Road off Atlanta Highway; become a member of the Friends of Athens-Clarke County Library at the door today to get first pick; sale features fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, hardbacks, paperbacks, audio books, CDs and more; proceeds benefit the Athens-Clarke County Library; (706) 613-3650 or www.clarke.public .lib.ga.us.

Pajama Story Time — 7 p.m., Madison County Library, 1315 Highway 98 West, Danielsville; wear jammies, get a stuffed animal and listen to bedtime stories at the library; small snack, peaceful tales and a song or two; www.clarke.public.lib. ga.us/ madison or (706) 795-5597.